Our Favorite Simple Wedding Centerpieces

Can I just tell you how much I am loving the return to simplicity that I have been seeing at this year’s weddings? While there will always be over-the-top everything from ten-tier cakes to wedding jewelry so heavy it gives the bride a migraine, it’s nice to see so many things that are just plain – well – nice. Doable for those of us who weren’t born with the Colin Cowie gene, even.

Wedding centerpieces for reception tables tend to be at the forefront of this return to all things simple – possibly because if you’re not a natural born designer or hiring an all purpose planner who’s wrangling the flowers for you, centerpieces can be tricky. Too small and they look dinky on a ten-person table. Too big and your guests are knocking the salt cellar onto the floor every time they take a bite.

But when you keep things simple, it’s a lot easier for the lay-bride to see what works and what doesn’t. Nothing too fussy. Mostly a lot of glass and flowers and candles – all of the kinds of things you can grab at a craft store on the cheap, in fact. Not that DIY wedding centerpieces have to look cheap, mind you. Some of the least expensive weddings I’ve been to have been some of the most arresting and amazing visually thanks to brides who put in the time.

If you’re thinking you’d rather put in the time than spend the money for gorgeous wedding centerpieces, here are some ideas I’m loving right now:

I can’t imagine these are actually drinking glasses but they do look an awful lot like drinking glasses. One bloom per glass and you have the perfect centerpiece for a long rectangular table.

Bedazzling glass jars and vases was all the rage on Pinterest a while back so you’ll have no trouble finding a how-to. Pick the right receptacle and you can once again get away with one bloom per.

Not a fan of flowers? Simple sticks and floating candles make for surprisingly striking centerpieces.

Or ditch the twigs and go for greenery. Wouldn’t this setup be lovely with succulents or cacti?

Here’s another idea – twin greenery into a vine and trail it along the table. A few tea lights in glass complete the look. It’s very fresh and in keeping with the trend toward more botanicals!

It doesn’t get much simpler than this! Check Etsy for these candle holders or give DIY a try.

Did I say it couldn’t get any simpler? I lied. Beach stones and lilies are a perfect pairing.

It might take some time to collect all the tiny glass bottles you need to mimic this look, but don’t you think the results will be worth it?

DIY always takes time, of course. But the result can be a more beautiful, more personal wedding than you might otherwise have had. Scared to dip your toe into the wide world of wedding DIY? Centerpieces are a great place to start.

(Images via StyleMePretty, AFloral.com, Project Wedding, The Frisky, Burnetts Boards, Colin Cowie Weddings, A Low Country Wedding, and How to Be Perfect Woman?)